So I have been doing research through my past few scenarios. I have decided that the best and most crucial way to build a team is through The Draft(probably obvious), NOT through Free Agency. My current Seattle Seahawks roster has all players at 75 POT rating or higher. None less. Here I will present tips on how to make you a better drafter. Class is in session.
Do not trade up unless you have to.
Let me repeat, do NOT trade up unless you have to! If you scouted well before the draft, there will be plenty of sleeper players that will be MUCH better than the guys drafted Round 1 or early 2nd round. Trading up costs you draft picks, and potentially, players, all for just one young, unproven high rated, potentially costly player. Why trade up for Jack English who will always be drafted first when you could get Jake Scott? Trade down to get someone like Tristan Riley, don't waste picks for one high pick. Only trade up unless you know you need that player and he'll perform at a high level immediately for you.
Trade for multiple 5-7 round draft picks
If use the Individual Workouts on players, there will usually be a number of 80-90 potential rookies. Teams will look at your draft board, however they WILL NOT copy your draft board entirely.
Have a draft board
I paid for not using the in game draft board early when the game was released. It pays to have a draft board. You have the default draft board rankings. If you have not set one yet, you will have to manually search for the player you scouted in order to find him, IF he's still available. Now that waists time. Remember, this is a game, there are no real-live analysts commenting and giving you F's on your picks. Use the draft board for ONLY players YOU need and put the players YOU need at the TOP of the draft board, and stick to it no matter what. Feel free to move up 50-60 OVR players to the top of your board if he is a high pot player even if he's projected to be a 6th or 7th round pick to ensure you select him.
Use the Player Comparison*
If a QB has a Drew Brees Player Comparison and he's a low-round projected draft pick, 8 times out of 10 he'll be a great player. Gamble on him with your pick. If a player compares to John Abraham, select him!
*Be sure to use Individual Workouts to know that the player really does compare to the player comparison.
Know the Rookie's Upside
It's obvious, but it helps to know what the rookie can bring to the table. Look for Upside in one of the Regular Season scouting Strengths. Chances are he'll develop quickly. If he doesn't have an upside as a strength, look for any "None" in the weakness side. If he has a "none" as a weakness, he'll be a sleeper. If a rookie has "None" at ANY of his strengths, avoid the player at all costs, no matter what his PHS and INT are rated. He'll always be a decent to a bust player. We want great players, not decent players. I just drafted Bennie Louis in my current draft in the 6th round who has 88 POT rating. Darby Miles wasted someone else's #1 overall draft pick.
Make sure your team has a need before drafting in that position
Let's face it. If you have 3 high-level DE's, why do you need to draft another high potential LE? You cannot trade him away as other teams won't want him immediately until they've seen production from him. The only positions where you should draft another player in the same position with a high level POT is QB(without multiple QBs you may be out of your team's leaders quickly), WR, or CB. If you don't have any other needs, trade down for next year's draft.
When in doubt, Gamble.
It's usually safe to gamble when deciding which sleepers to pick in the last rounds, because nobody else knows that you know certain sleepers in the draft. If you are trying to decide whether to take a Marvin Harrison Comparison or a Drew Brees Comparison in the 5th Round and your next pick is in the 7th round, By George gamble! The best formula to know whether he'll be available by your next pick, is to make sure that the Drew Brees guy is -10 OVR than the other QB's remaining, Brees will most likely be available in the 7th round, maybe not drafted at all. Here you can safely assume Brees will be available later so you can pick Marvin Harrison.
Hope this post will inspire other John Schneiders or Ted Thompsons to draft better and get their team more prepared for their upcoming season! Class is dismissed!

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